IHL KNIGHTS WAITING ON HAWKS FOR ARENA PLANS

October 21, 1994

The IHL Atlanta Knights, after "abandoning plans to
construct their own Alpharetta arena," will "react to whatever
decision is reached by the Hawks on a new playing facility." The
Knights let their option lapse on land in Alpharetta after having
"misgivings about the viability of a costly NHL franchise,
ballooning construction costs and uncertainly of securing a
second tenant." With that, Knights president Richard Adler
"forfeited his right to block Turner Broadcasting or anyone else
from importing an NHL team." The Knights are currently
negotiating a two-year lease extension to keep them in the Omni
through '99. Hawks Exec VP Lee Douglas said they haven't
addressed what form hockey will play in a new facility. Douglas:
"We certainly envision hockey being a part of it, whether it's
the IHL, NHL or what" (Joe Strauss, ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 10/20).